Magnetic pickup for clothing machines

ABSTRACT

A magnetic pickup device includes an elongated body portion constructed of a pliant material and one or more magnets disposed within said elongated body. The magnets operate to attach the elongated body to the drum of a clothing machine and to attract and collect loose ferrous objects from within the drum. The magnets can be rare earth magnets. The elongated body portion can include a flat bottom, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered sides, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered ends, and a top.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to clothing machines such as dryers and washers, and more particularly, relating to a magnetic device for attracting and retaining loose ferrous objects located in the drum of a clothing machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for objects left in pockets of clothing or tangled among other articles to become loose while the clothing machine operates. These loose objects bang around the rotating drum making noise and can dent or scratch the walls of the drum and damage components of the machine, which require servicing to repair. Often, these objects are of a ferrous metal material or include a ferrous metal material. Accordingly, there is a need and desire to collect loose, ferrous metal objects banging around a rotating drum while a clothing machine operates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing a magnetic pickup device that is easily attached to and removed from a clothing machine drum. Alternatively, the device can be built into already existing components of the machine. The device reduces the unfavorable audible sound of metal traveling freely in the drum and reduces servicing to repair damage caused by the freely moving ferrous metal objects in the drum.

In general, in one aspect, a magnetic pickup device includes an elongated body portion constructed of a pliant material and one or more magnets disposed within said elongated body. The magnets operate to attach the elongated body to the drum of a clothing machine and to attract and collect loose ferrous objects from within the drum.

In aspects, the magnets can be rare earth magnets. In other aspects, the elongated body portion can include a flat bottom, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered sides, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered ends, and a top.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in numerous ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magnetic pickup constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, shown in use with a conventional clothing machine;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is top view of the magnetic pickup device shown in use with a conventional clothing machine and extending along a paddle;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a magnetic pickup device having a plurality of magnets;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a magnetic pickup device having one magnet;

FIG. 6 is an end view of a magnetic pickup device;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment, wherein a drum paddle is provided with one or more magnets; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment, wherein a drum is provided more magnets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 through 6, there is representatively illustrated a magnetic pickup device 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and shown in use with a conventional clothing machine 12. The clothing machine 12 can either be a washer or a dyer and has a typical construction with a drum 16 supported for rotation within a cabinet 18 (shown without the customary door).

In operation, clothing is placed into the drum 16 and the machine 12 operates to rotate the drum either wash or dry the clothing. Objects left in the clothing and, particularly, metal objects become loose and bang against the drum wall. The objects banging against the drum wall causes an undesirable, irritating noise. The objects banging against the drum wall can also dent and scratch the wall. Additionally, the objects can become stuck and further damage the machine 12.

The magnetic pickup device 10 provides a means for capturing and holding magnetic objects, such as, for example coins, bottle caps, screws, nut, nails, paperclips, etc., thereby preventing them from further banging against the drum 16. As illustrated, the device 10 has an elongated body portion 20. The body portion 20 is made of a material that is resistant to degradation when exposed to heat, water, cleaning solutions and conditions typically found inside a washing machine or dryer. The body portion 20 could be made pliant material, such as, for example rubber, silicone, rubberized material or a plasticized material. As shown, in the illustrated embodiment, the body portion 20 includes a flat bottom 22, a pair of opposing, inwardly tapered sidewalls 24, a pair of opposing, inwardly tapered end walls 26, and a top 28.

Device 10 further includes one or more magnets 30, such as rare earth magnets, disposed within the body portion 22. Magnets 30 function to secure the body portion 20 to the drum 16 when the drum is made from a ferrous metal. The magnets 30 also function to attract loose, ferrous objects 32 and hold them against the body portion 20, thereby preventing them from banging against the drum 16. As illustrated, the body portion 20 can be attached to the drum 16 such that the body portion runs along the length of a drum paddle 34. This is placement is desirable since loose objects are likely to be caught by the paddle 34 and then readily captured by device 10.

The magnetic attachment also allows the device 10 to be easily removed from the drum 16, thereby simplifying removal of the ferrous object which will be removed along with the device. Additionally, the magnetic attachment allows the device 10 to be removed and placed in another location within the drum 16 allowing a user to be able to place it in a desired location on the drum. This enables the device 10 to be used in cases where the ferrous objects may be different in size, shape, or weight.

In FIG. 7, there is shown an alternative embodiment wherein a drum paddle 36 is provided with one or more magnets 30 as an alternative to a removable strip device. As illustrated, the one or more magnets 30 are disposed entirely within the paddle 36. However, the one or more magnets 30 could be flush with or extend beyond an exterior surface of the paddle 36.

In FIG. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment wherein a washing machine drum 38 is provided with one or more magnets 30. As shown, the one or more magnets 30 are disposed within the wall of the drum 38. However, the one or more magnets 30 could be flush with or extend beyond a surface of the drum 38.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A clothing machine magnetic pickup comprising: an elongated body portion constructed of a pliant material; and one or more magnets disposed within said elongated body.
 2. The clothing machine magnetic pickup of claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more magnets is a rare earth magnet.
 3. The clothing machine magnetic pickup of claim 1, wherein said elongated body includes a flat bottom, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered sides, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered ends, and a top.
 4. The clothing machine magnetic pickup of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more magnetics is wholly disposed within said elongated body.
 5. In combination a clothing machine and a clothing machine magnetic pickup comprising: a drum supported for rotation about an axis; one or more paddles attached to an interior surface of said drum and circumferentially spaced therearound; an elongated body portion constructed of a pliant material; one or more magnets disposed within said elongated body; and said elongated body attached to said drum and extending alongside a paddle.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein at least one of said one or more magnets is a rare earth magnet.
 7. The combination of claim 5, wherein said elongated body includes a flat bottom, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered sides, a pair of opposed inwardly tapered ends, and a top.
 8. The combination of claim 5, wherein each of said one or more magnetics is wholly disposed within said elongated body.
 9. A paddle for a washing machine comprising: an elongated paddle body; and one or more magnets attached to said elongated paddle body.
 10. (canceled) 